Managing energy balance and metabolic disorders in early lactation

Stephen Butler joins Emma-Louise Coffey to advise on how to manage energy balance and metabolic disorders in early lactation. Firstly, Stephen emphasises the importance of dry cow management to ensure cows are in the correct BCS and received adequate minerals. Stephen explains that cows undergo significant change post-calving, moving from dry cow status with low intake and low energy demand to lactating status with low intake and high energy demand.  He also reminds us that in addition to lactation cow require energy to resume cyclicity. Cows are susceptible to metabolic diseases in early lactation and Stephen encourages farmers to be vigilant and act promptly to treat symptoms. For more episodes and information from the Dairy Edge podcast go to:  https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/